?Perfect? ~1 x 1 RP W/ Rosie~

[Rosie 3]

They'd barely gotten in before Axel had made a beeline for Kairi and Roxas' table, dragging Demyx along for the most part- not that he made it obvious, since he sauntered over at such a pace it looked like he was just stopping because the table was there, not because he particularly wanted to see any of them. To Demyx, Axel totally failed at keeping his cool and his exaggerated attitude was really obvious; but no one else really seemed to see past the swagger and the cockiness enough to notice he craved gossip like the bitchiest girl would- he was much like that in other ways, too, but tried pretty hard not to show it. While Demyx? He didn't try to be anything he wasn't. Didn't see much point in pretending not to care.

 

"So, what's happening, kiddies?" Axel drawled, smacking Demyx on the arm when he noticed his friend's attention starting to waver. The other guys who'd come in with them huddled around Axel, practically magnetized- had Dem been watching, he would probably have found it funny. Then again, it worked like that- Axel was pretty intense to have around. He tended to pull you in.

 

However, Dem wasn't even looking, even when Axel hit him- he was squinting slightly across the cafeteria, trying to work out if that girl in the corner trying to hide was-

 

Yeah, crappy eyesight or not, it was definitely Namine. Sparing the others a quick grin, he strolled off, away from the group- somewhat purposefully for a change, right over to her.

[zexion/ienzo 52]

Roxas hid his giddiness (it still thrilled him that a Senior was talking to him) and stared nonchalantly up at Axel, trying not to let those intoxicating green eyes get to him. They had to be contact lenses or something along those lines...

 

"Nothing much, what's up with you? Set another Junior on fire yet?" The blond teased, keeping that uninterested, I-don't-care look that irked the older kids so much. He didn't miss the snicker Riku gave or how Pence shoved another piece of fried chicken in his mouth to stifle his laughter. But out of the corner of his eye he also didn't miss one of Axel's friends, Demyx as he recalled, heading over to lonesome Namine, not caring in the slightest that half the cafeteria was rustling in anticipation. No one ever went over to Namine.

 

Well the blond wasn't blind, she saw Demyx coming and she felt her heart pound faster. Even if he was her therapist, didn't mean it wasn't embarrassing to have him come over here. She knew Axel had a reputation and what if he and Dem' stopped hanging out simply because of this little display. Her panic was rising. Part of her was also a bit scared. What if that whole friendly thing in 2nd period was an act? If he was here to tease her then...well then she probably wouldn't be able to take it at all.

[Rosie 3]

Scoffing, Axel was surprised to realise that he didn't feel annoyed at the obvious dig- he was pretty much used to it by now, and most of the stuff that had happened was old hat to everyone now, including him. He dug around in the pockets of his black jeans for a moment, utterly aware and uncaring of how they rode down his hips when, retrieving what he wanted, he leant against the edge of the table, nearly sitting on it. For a moment, he didn't look up, eyes half-lidded as he lifted the cigarette between two fingers, not even taking the care to watch as he found the zippo and lit up. Taking one deep drag of it, he plucked it out of his mouth to shush at the younger students there, grinning around the long, pale finger held to his lips.

 

"Haven't ya heard? I'm on the straight and narrow." He snorted, then coughed sharply, twice- the smoke going down the wrong way. "Meaning, I'm not settin' anyone on fire... on purpose, at least."

 

He knew the blond wasn't going to see, but still threw a halfhearted glare at Demyx's back- muttering a "damn mushy idiot" under his breath as he took another drag. Not only was Demyx oblivious to his friend's snarkiness, he was doing very well at utterly ignoring the stares and whispers- he just flopped down in the seat beside her, smiling back at the idiots who were rude enough to stare- it would have been friendly, had his eyes not held a glint of something a bit more menacing, standard I'm-a-Senior-bitches-stare-and-die hints he'd learnt from the others with ease. People at the very least seemed a little more uncomfortable, and he set to rummaging through his bag, sheets dropping on the floor as he rifled through it.

 

"Hey, Nami," he said, perfectly casually, glancing over and smiling properly. "Thought you'd want some company. I'm not gonna eat you, jeez, really- stop looking so freaked already."

[zexion/ienzo 52]

Roxas scoffed, watching as Axel plucked a cigarette from his low rise jeans and ignorin how his black boxers peaked up at the top. The idiot was just begging for attention, and he always got it. The blond knew a ton of kids would kill to have his seat, at least, the girls into the "bad boys" would anyway. He promptly ignored the puffs of smoke that drifted forwards him, but caught how Kairi sitting next to him coughed violently. She had bad asthma at times.

 

"Straight, huh? Well then you won't mind," Roxas reached over plucking the cigarette from Axel's lips and putting it out in Pence's water. "If I do that. Wouldn't want to hurt someone with the smoke." He challenged, eyeing a thankful Kairi to make emphasize on his intentions. It felt good to actual talk to the older male--correction. It felt good to piss off the older male.

 

Namine swallowed, nodding as she got a bit more comfortable with someone sitting with her. She was surprised at how effortlessly he could ease into the seat without worrying about drawing attention to himself or without worrying that this was the closest a student had ever been to her. His joke made her look up a bit less anxiously at him and she blushed yet again. He got a bit cuter with every passing second but that may just be her school girl self getting to her. Nervously, she fumbled with her fingers, looking up at Axel who was staring a but over here and the others watching and then back at Demyx.

 

"So...d-don't you have class now? Is it okay for you to be here? I don't want you getting in trouble just because..." Just because he was sitting next to her. Namine had to wonder though, what were the chances that he would sit here of all places? Or that he'd come right at her lunch period?

[Rosie 3]

Axel made a low hiss, swatting fairly ineffectually at Roxas' head- of course, if he'd meant to hurt the kid, he could have done far worse, had he meant it to hurt. Narrowing his eyes, knowing they'd darken wonderously, he leant further against the desk, throwing Roxas, and, by extent, Kairi and the rest of the table, a filthy glare. His reputation tended to proceed him in these situations; even the Freshmen had heard not to screw with him, and it was new, in fact, pretty fresh, for anyone to actually challenge him. Leaning far enough over so that he was right over Roxas, he let his normal smirk stretch over his lips again, knowing it would probably just make him look more menacing.

 

"Well, aren't you a snarky little punk," he retorted, saying each word slowly, deliberately- he noticed at least a few on the table shrink back, and satisfaction swelled up in his chest at the reaction. Just how he wanted. But, it seemed the blond kid- he knew his name was Roxas, since Kairi was a complete chatterbox and he'd been forced to hear every detail of her life while they were dating, particularly about her friends- was gonna be a tougher nut to crack.

And that was a hell of a lot more fun.

 

Smile widening to a grin, wide enough to flash teeth, Demyx finally dumped a bag of chips and a somewhat crushed sammich, on the table, scooting the chips closer to her.

 

"Eh, it was only Gym. I skip it anyway. And, trust me, no one'll screw with me. I'm just that awesome." He laughed softly to himself, leaning back in the seat and stretching his legs out under the table- just trying to make it obvious how relaxed he was, in the hopes maybe it'd rub off on Namine some. "And you're probably hungry, right? I mean, you're not eating anything, and I've got more than enough since Axel's decided to waste his last couple dollars on smokes again and won't share with me."

[zexion/ienzo 52]

Roxas wanted to pull back like Sora and even Riku had admittedly done. But like hell he was going to give in so easily. He wasn't about to let some Senior with a bad ass reputation make himcringe with his smirk and dangerously glinting eyes (which he wasn't able to stop looking at). Roxas let his eyes remain open half way and hooded, placing a poke on one of Axel's upside down, tear drop tattoos while pushing him away.

 

"And aren't you an asshole. I can assume you are unaware of the term personal space right? Or are those words to large for you to understand?" Roxas shot back, surprising even himself at how evenly he said that without a single stutter. Much different from his retorts in the Freshman year.

 

Namine eyed the chips wearily, and then Demyx. How could she put this?

 

"I'm...really not hungry. It's not like I need the extra weight anyway, I'm already pretty...y'know." She lied, motioning to her stomach region, which betrayed her with a low rumble. It was like lying to this guy wasn't an option. "I guess one couldn't hurt." Namine caved, taking two of the Sun Chips a bit eagerly. She hadn't eaten since dinner last night and even that hadn't been filling. Her father couldn't cook to save his life. Unfirtunately, neither could Namine. "Abd do you skip most of your classes? You won't get into a good college that way." Namine said, quickly stopping herself realizing how motherly that sounded. "S-sorry."

[Rosie 3]

At the push, Axel's eyes flashed for a moment, and he moved as though to shove Roxas back, probably hard enough to knock him out of his seat (and off his damn high horse, he thought) but he just managed to stop himself before he actually acted, instead leaping off the table and grabbing the younger guy's wrists, grip so tight he knew it was probably painful for Roxas- but, of course, he wanted to teach him a lesson. And, he decided to utterly ruin the impact of the push by moving close again, holding the blond's wrists at his shoulder height.

 

"I know exactly what it means. I'm not a dumbass, no matter whatever shit gets said about me. I just choose not to follow such a awesome rule.."

 

Demyx rolled his eyes, leaning his chin on his hand, pressing his elbow into the desk. "You're just fine as you are, Namine. You don't need to watch your weight. Don't worry 'bout any of that stuff- you really dont have to. And you don't have to hide all on your own, either- I bet no one would object if you walked right on over and sat down with Kairi and that lot. None of them are that bad, from what I've seen of the little punks."

 

He just laughed at her point about college- he didn't really have a defense, since it was pretty much dead on true.

[zexion/ienzo 52]

Roxas nearly let out a gasp of pain, his wrists being seized tightly by Axel's nimble fingers. He hadn't expected the Senior to actually snap and from Riku's narrowed eyes, neither did he. But Roxas, well, he had a hard head to say the least. And he knew how to use his intelligence to as he flicked his eyes to the clock. At least this would make free period and tomorrow much more interesting. He could use with some new excitement which wasn't Kairi and her newest closet disaster. Swallowing he fearlessly leaned in, leaving only a centimeter or so between the two of their faces, making the food drop out of Hayner's mouth.

 

"I never said anything was being said about you, you assumed that all on your own. Insecure much? Don't worry," He pulled away, removing his wrists from Axel's tight grasp, heart pounding as he calmly continued. "People have better things to talk about." With that, the bell for the end of Lunch rang and he raced as coolly as he could out of the lunch room to his free period music room.

 

Namine look over at Roxas' group and how it seemed Axel and him were getting in a little spat and shrugged half heartedly, looking down in an unsure manner.

 

"I-I don't know. I'm not exactly a guest of honor over there..." She murmured, leaning back in her chair with a sigh. "I doubt Roxas wants me ruining his image." She looked at Demyx and then back at Axel who was awkwardly close to the blond now. "Aren't you worried you'll be ridiculed for sitting next to me?" She questioned, looking curiously at thenmusical teen. Demyx...he was different from the rest of those kids. Namine didn't bother to budge when the bell rang, waiting for the blond's response, half across to hear it, half wanting to know.

 

((I feel like war is going to break out between Roxas and Axel ))

[Rosie 3]

"Uh-oh," said Demyx, worry flickering across his face as he glanced over only to witness Axel stalking out of the cafeteria, managing somehow to look both intimidating and like a child who'd lost his temper at the same time. Although the redhead's retreating back was to him, Dem knew the look on his face from what was years of experience- like thunder, absolutely furious. He stifled a snigger, though, knowing Axel wouldn't be as stupid enough to hurt anyone. He was barely off probation as it was, and wasn't very inclined to get screwed over enough into going back- and although it never usually went well when someone baited him, it could possibly go far enough for him to have to intervene. He just faked a theatrical sigh and turned back to face Namine, drumming his fingers against the lunch table.

 

"Nah, I'm not worried. I don't really care about popularity- if everyone pokes fun, let 'em poke fun. Usually get along pretty easily with them, anyway, so I dont see how just keeping you company here is gonna change anything."

He honestly believed it, too- maybe he was just naive, but he really thought that doing stuff like this could only improve things. He didn't mind losing a few jerkasses who were previously his "friends" didn't matter to him. And he was pretty certain that Axel, the only one whose opinion he actually gave a damn about, wouldn't turn on him for something so little- he'd promised to stick by him, thick and thin- part of the reason why Demyx was so unconcerned about bullies.

 

Axel, however, stormed through the hallway after the younger blond, long legs and the seperating crowd giving him enough of an advantage to catch up near the music room- shit, that reminded him, he had a damn peer-to-peer session up there last period, ugh- and he grabbed Roxas' shoulder.

"Do not firetruckin' walk away from me, brat."

[zexion/ienzo 52]

Namine looked at Demyx, her heart skipping a few beats of surprise. That was...maybe one of the nicest things someone had ever said to her in the year that had passed without her mom. The blond looked around the empty cafeteria before giving Demyx a quick, genuine smile.

 

"Thank you. That really means a lot." She admitted, lifting her bookbag. She didn't want to miss Mr. Terra's Gym class. He liked her well enough but he wasn't one for favorites. She didn't want to get on the brunnete's bad side, not today anyway. She got up, looking back at Demyx before hesitantly rooting her feet the ground, her sadness coming back. Any happiness, she hated to admit it, never lasted. "What...what class do you have next?"

 

Roxas froze when he heard Axel's low growl reach his ears and a tighter-than-death grip on his shoulder. His heart shot up to get caught in his throat and then plummeted to his stomach. He hadn't gotten away fast enough. He was so screwed...Cursing hastily under his breath, Roxas didn't dare to look back and kept trying to move forward, trying har to contain the despairity in his body. Maybe if he ignore him he'd go away. What a childish thing to say.

[Rosie 3]

It gave Demyx a weird sense of accomplishment to see her actually smile. He hadn't been able to help worrying earlier that he was somehow making her worse- he'd noticed some times before that, when certain people were upset, and he barged in being all cheery and silly, it generally made them worse, or even angry- but at least he'd gotten a smile on the first day, that was progress. It also helped, of course, that she looked prettier when she smiled; it was probably because, unlike girls like Kairi and Miss Aqua, she didn't actually seem to realise she was beautiful- that was the word. She definitely didn't believe it, but she was. But, the smile didn't last, to his mingling disappointment and expectation.

 

"S'only Chem next. Prof can wait for me, I'll walk you to class if you... if you don't mind, of course." Swinging his legs out from under the table, he stood up, tugging his bag off and carelessly tossing the strap across his shoulder. "If I walk you, and get Axel off his rampage of doom, I'll be practically on time... for me, at least."

 

With one lengthy stride, Axel, not letting go of the other boy in the slightest, stepped past him, placing himself right in Roxas' path. His green eyes glinted with malice as he slammed his free hand into the wall, forcing them both to come to a halt. He noticed none of the kids passing by seemed to want to risk even coming within a couple feet of him. Were he not so pissed, he probably would have taken the time to grin at them like a maniac to increase the effect.

 

"Little bitch. I'm not above dunking your stupid head in the loos, y'know."

[zexion/ienzo 52]

Namine felt selfish for accepting his offer to let him walk her to class, she'd make him late and he already had to miss a class for her. But it's not as though she wanted to go back to being secluded but...Namine didn't know. Being with Demyx made her calm, maybe it was because he was her therapist, who knows. But Namine didn't know if she was ready to let him in that much just yet.

 

"I...no that's alright, I'd rather not be more of a burden. I'll see you...later I guess." She spoke softly, looking up at the musical blond through her ashy lashes before exiting the lunch room. She didn't see it but she wasn't walking with her head hung as low, even if she didn't meet anyones gaze.

 

Roxas scowled up at Axel through his wispy bangs, clearly not pleased with ring stopped in his tracks. Sure, he deserved what he was getting at the moment but didn't mean he wanted to deal with it. Roxas was the kind of person who wanted to go through life by doing well and being happy. Now firetrucking around with Axel, well, that wasn't making him entirely happy. Well that was actually a bit of a lie, it thrilled him to be in this situation, where he could talk back to a Senior.

 

"And I have no problem kneeing you in the balls but you don't have any so the attempt would be meaningless." Roxas retorted, ducking under Axel's arm and skimming his back against the lockers to get by.

[Rosie 3]

Shrugging, Demyx went to pick up his sitar, knowing better than to push her too much, especially so early into things- he just trudged across the cafeteria, only pausing to ask a straggling Senior which direction to take, using one simple word- Axel's name. The other guy knew exactly what he was talking about- one of the main benefits to Axel was that he was easily recognisable, and even if it hadnt been a Senior, they most likely would have known where to direct him. He only knew what direction his hothead for a best friend had taken, he could pretty much follow the path of destruction, so to speak- the whispers and the scattering Freshmen. Still, Axel had managed to get annoyingly far, for a change- although Dem knew he only had to keep walking.

 

Making a low, furious noise in the back of his throat that was nearly a growl, and shoved Roxas, hard, slamming his back into the locker. Whether it left a dent in the damn thing, he didn't care.

"Shut up! You obnoxious little c-"

A hand caught his shoulder- thin, long fingers, worn tough at the tips. A musician's hand. Axel didn't move, seething, even as Demyx's voice came in his ear, soft, almost melodic.

 

"C'mon, Ax, let it go." Looking over at Roxas, he bit his lip. "Um. Sorry. Shouldn't let this one off a leash. You okay?"

[zexion/ienzo 52]

Namine trudged into the Girl's Locker Room for 5th period, holding her clothes even closer to her body. She was comfortable to expose herself, not when she didn't look half as gorgeous as the girls in the changing area, especially when compared to Kairi. Deep red hair that was a natural color, sky blue eyes, and nicely tanned skin, she was every guys dream date next to Miss Aqua. She was beautiful. And it pained Namine even more to know she wasn't. Glancing around, she chose the far corner of the room to change in. Not just because no one was lingering there, but also because the long stretch mirror didn't quite reach her. If Namine got the chance to spare herself from her horrid appearance than gladly she would take it. No questions asked. Hesitantly, she changed into her gray shorts and blue T-shirt, heading out to see Mr. Terra already waiting with a few of the guys. She recognized Riku and Sora amongst them, but that was it.

 

Roxas knew from the painful sensation and then slightly numb tingling in his back that something wasn't right when Axel consequently slammed him into the lockers lined accordingly up on the walls. Some of the Freshman girls yelled in horror. Probably part of his ridiculous fan club. Okay, not club, but even he had to admit he was good looking. And he appealed the most to the younger year girls in his school. But it wasn't them he was worried about. It was the dangerous pyromaniac red head that had him pinned while seething venom that had his attention. Despite the fear rushing through his veins, his heart pump faster and faster in anticipation. God he must have inherited his brother, Sora's, adrenaline rush or something. This was slightly sick. As Axel began to spew his threats, Roxas found himself saved by Demyx placing a hand on the Senior's shoulder. He was saved. For now. He acknowledged the blond's question and shook his head as borscht as he could, as if all the jump Axel had just given him was a game.

 

"Yeah, I'm fine. And it's okay, I Know what you mean." Roxas smirked at Axel, challenging him with a glint of mischief in his blue eyes as he slipped away from the threatening grasp. "Bitches really should be kept on their leash." Roxas stated, being smart enough to know he had to get out of there as he hopped in the Music Room, being sure to lock the classroom door after himself.

[Rosie 3]

Axel's cheeks flushed, Demyx presumed with fury- but, instead of panicking, he just grabbed the back of the angry redhead's shirt, practically holding him back as he started forwards, after Roxas. Sure, Axel could easily have shoved him off; he was, at first glance, skinnier than Demyx, but that misconception stemmed from the fact Axel was a head taller, and actually only had a smaller waist. That was all genetics- he was deceptively strong, muscles corded in his upper arms, which might have been slim, but were definitely strong. Demyx had seen Axel in enough fights to know he was no match for his delinquent of a friend. And yet, Axel didnt bother breaking his grasp, just whirled around and punched the locker he'd previously slammed Roxas against.

 

The blond winced, hearing Axel's knuckles cracking, an ugly, hollow noise, as he tugged them away from the flimsy metal of the locker and uncurled his fist.

 

"You realise he was probably just messing with you, right?"

"No one messes with me."

 

Dem just grinned cheerily, tugging the taller teen after him, down the hallway. "We have Chem, man- like I'm gonna sit on my own all period. And, besides, it might be nice for you to make it to ONE class today- other than Math, but you just go to stare at Miss Aqua's freakin' boobs the entire time."

[zexion/ienzo 52]

Namine couldn't really say much happened after the usual period of Gym. Afterwards was Language Arts and her Chemistry class was replaced with Art as an elective she chose to cancel it out. Science wasn't her best subject after all and she'd prefer to keep her good grades, even if it wouldn't matter by the end of the year. It was only October and she could gaurentee that she'd be dead by April unless the sessions with Demyx proved to be helpful. But it was a given that the blond petite wasn't an optimist. Aerith had released class a bit early today so she took the opurtunity to go to her locker and get some items out of it. The first thing she noticed, there was a large dent in it now. Wonderful. But what was worse, she wasn't the only one at her locker. In fact, three others were waiting for her. And they happened to be her second worst nightmares. Seifer, and Marluxia.

 

"What's up, Nami?" Seifer asked, his lips curlin up into a sneer. Namine's somewhat good day diminished.

 

Meanwhile, Roxas was making it a point to glance over his shoulder every few minutes as he travelled down the lone hallway in the West Wing to get his things. Lexaeus, the librarian had let him go early (courtesy of Zexion) because of his forgotten homework. With how crowded the halls got, he'd never be able to make it to the locker and then to the buses on time. He was thankful to be getting put early to avoid a zero which would blemish his perfect streak of always handing in his homework but it was like a suicide run to do this. The Library was on the Senior floor. Axel was a Senior, a Senior who skipped classes nonetheless. He'd be worse off if he was caught here alone with him than down in the Junior and Freshmen level...

[Rosie 3]

Pretty impressively, Demyx managed to doze through a couple periods without being interrupted once- okay, so he'd actually fallen asleep through Chem and Social Studies, the former subtly, against a somewhat unwilling and pissy Axel's shoulder (though he managed to resist the urge to shove Dem off, or doodle on his face in magic marker like usual) and the latter, splayed out on the desk, clearly out for the count. The only reason he needed to nap so late in the day was that he wasn't really that much of a sleeper at night, and it didn't help that eating anything make him pretty dozy and lethargic, so throwing down his squashed up sandwich on the way to Chem certainly hadn't helped him stay awake.

And, of course, the classes were totally boring.

 

Sometime between Chem and Social Studies, Axel had cleared off- but the blond Senior wasn't ditzy enough to forget that his friend had some kind of session of his own late in the day, and hoped he'd actually bothered to go. He guessed it was pretty ironic that he was effectively trying to do for Namine what Axel's mentor was meant to be doing for him, since he wasn't exactly responsible and he was best friends with Axel, of all people. But, while Namine seemed to need support and a hell of a lot of spirit lifting, Axel was in for anger management- not that it seemed to be working, the guy still blew up at lots of little things, drove like a psycho, and needed about twenty cigarettes to function, in a single day.

 

But for last period, he had what Professor Ansem had called a "study" period- he just treated it like a free, though, of course. The idea was that, since Demyx was hardly the most applied of students, he might be able to catch up on the work he inevitably forgot to do or slacked off on. But, of course, he didn't study in that period, so the entire idea was pretty pointless. Still, it meant he could just aimlessly wander about, which was what he did best, once Cloud told him to get out after a little while of loitering in the music room.

 

He'd tried to go to the session, at least, but Axel couldn't stand the damn snooty prick they had as his mentor therapist... thing, and had basically stormed out and slammed the door on the idiot, trying to head for the pack of smokes he kept in his locker for emergencies- he'd already lit up all the ones in his pockets, to his annoyance, by the time Chem was over. The teacher hated him smoking, of course, but like she was gonna stop him! He banged the locker door shut hard, turning on his heel and stalking off as he fumbled in the back pocket of his jeans for his lighter- but he paused , zippo halfway to the cigarette jammed between his lips, when he spotted the all-too-familiar blonde head along the hallway, headed his way.

 

"Well, ain't that just firetrucking perfect," he muttered.

 

(( UNINTENTIONAL TITLE SONG DROP. [/shot] ))

[zexion/ienzo 52]

Namine swallowed the lump in her throat, hanging her head in an attempt to hide her face with her hair. If they didn't see her they'd go away for sure, she prayed, turning around to walk away from the duo. However, Seipher's hand grabbed her shoulder in a way that ordered her to stay as she was reluctantly pulled back into the lockers. Namine could already feel the red marks that were surely left on the shoulder of her skin forming and bit her lip, clutching her binders tightly. She stil had 20 or so minutes to wait out. Well wasn't this swell.

 

"Now, now, where do you think you're going? Off to slash your wrists again?" He questioned coldly, eyeing the pinkette standing idly behind him, and ever present smirk on his face. "I think we should punish her for trying to run, what do you say Marly?" Namine felt herself hiccup as her shoulders quivered. She had the strength of a mouse compared to them...she couldn't fight them off.

 

((May I ask you to be Marluxia please?))

 

After looking over his shoulder for the umpteenth time, Roxas let out a sigh of relief, letting his posture relax. He was fine, no danger was going to come from behind. Who knew screwing around with an elder delinquent could be so nervewracking. He blamed the adrenaline. Just when he reached his locker though (he was up with the Seniors because they had no room the floor below) and was starting to fall back into his typical Roxas mode, the blond heard painfully familiar heavy footsteps. Sparing a quick glance from the corner of his eyes he gave a frustrated moan sounding close to a whine.

 

It was Axel.

 

Seriously?! He had to show up now of all places when he wouldn't have one to run? Roxas grumbled under his breath, opening his locker and trying his best to melt into the maroon paint casually. His frantic whisper was lace under his breath.

 

"Please don't see me, please don't see me, please don't see me..." But everyone knows begging with the Devil usually damned all your chances of survival to Hell anyway.

 

((Lol, nice. But could job incoorporating it into the story, it keeps the title in play ))

[Rosie 3]

(( NO. D:< ...Kidding, kidding, of course~ Although, I'm warning you, only time I've ever played Marly before, he was a pedophile and a rapist who tormented Zexion for years and years of his childhood... [/shot] ))

 

Marluxia was smirking, dark blue eyes narrowed, and didn't answer for a moment, just stepping forwards and twisting a few strands of Namine's blonde hair between his fingers, almost gently, mocking-

"Of course. Stupid attention-seeking little girls need to be taught a lesson, after all," he sneered, giving her hair a sharp tug, and trying to grab at her bag; usually to throw it at Seifer, he expected. Unlike some guys, who considered chivary and all that shit, he had no problems with laying the hurt on a girl, no matter how small or defenseless- although he knew that, sometimes, Seifer had problems with the actual hitting. So, it was simply more convenient to pass him the easier job, the one that would have her stupid ass running around the campus, searching for her stuff, and was sure to mess up her chances to catch the bus and get home on time.

 

But, before he could get there, there was a shout from the end of the hallway.

"Hey!"

For a moment, Marluxia actually looked a little surprised- it wasn't often he'd witness Demyx shouting, the kid was so laid back, too lost in his own music to stand out much. Next to Axel, he was just a kooky little blond shadow, and god knows why they even bothered with each other. And, yet, here the idiot musician was, coming up to Marly like... like he actually had some kinda authority here. It was laughable.

 

"You two gonna pick on someone your own size?" was all he said as he practically marched up, not physically trying to intervene yet, just crossing his arms over his chest and staring them down. "Or am I gonna have to break up another stupid fight today?"

 

Okay, so, Axel would normally have, were anyone else there, immediately got the jump on this kid, showed him just who was boss by probably slamming his head inside the locker. Standard practise. But, then again, no one was gonna see. No one was gonna care. So he could mess with him a little.

"You know, I'm not a retard. I can see you in there, Blondie."

 

He didn't bother to light up, shoving the lighter and spare cigarette back into his back pocket as he sauntered towards the younger boy, a huge, grim smirk spread across his face. Oh, man, he did not know what he'd started.

[zexion/ienzo 52]

((Regardless, you make a pretty badass Marly And I gt the cutesy visual of Demyx coming up to sve Namine. It was adorable x3))

 

Namine let out a cry of pain as her hair was tugged fiercely and books taken from her. Marluxia really was a cruel person. He may have look like a kind gentlemen but as her Uncle Luxord used to say; looks can be deceiving. It was true to. Sh watched as Seifer took her things out of her grasp and she attempted to reach feebly for them. Namine knew all to well how pathetic she looked, blindly groping for her things when her hair was being held in a vice grip. Couldn't they have picked another day to mess with her.

 

"Please...stop." She pleaded, reaching her hands up to untangle the fingers knotting her hair. Seipher chuckled, beginning to walk away before a sharp, loud voice broke through that hall, echoing of the walls like a shout in a cave. Blinking one eye open while seeing through her growing tears, Namine spotted a familiar musician walking in a huff down the hall towards them.

 

"You two gonna pick on someone your own size or am I gonna have to break up two stupid fights today?" Namine halted her struggle for just a moment in disbelief. Demyx...was helping her? Seifer sneered.

 

"What's it matter to you Senior, 's not like we're trying to off her, thats her job."

 

Roxas stiffened, the blond hairs on the back of his neck sticking up in freight. He wasn't attacking first. Bad thing, that was a very bad thing! Swallowing, Roxas pushed himself closer to his locker, holding his Science binder and personal Notebook close to his chest. This might as well be the beginning of the end.

 

"I have a name, a-and it's not blondie." Roxas stated sharply, cursing himself for his slight stutter. Without someone to prove himself to he was a bit less able than before. He supposed it was the crowds of admiration around him that let him shoot his mouth off like a smart aleck. Now, with those said crowds absent, he was at a loss.

[Rosie 3]

The blond Senior scowled, stepping slowly and very deliberately forwards, until he was close to Seifer- intimidatingly close. Despite being older, he wasn't exactly tall, not anything like Axel or the others; this left him a few inches shy of even Marluxia and Seifer- but the no-nonsense glare in his eyes, the challenge in the way he held himself, helped to make up the difference, to an extent. His hands were fisted at his sides, and although he seemed angry, it was a controlled, calm sort of anger. Which, sort of, had more of an impact than losing it would ever have, especially considering the contrast to his usual goofy, lazy persona. He didn't lose his temper- it frayed, sure, of course it did, but so long as he could help it, Dem tried to stay focused, not to let the rage take over- which it was actually threatening to.

 

All he could think was how deeply unfair it was, and just how much of a bad start it was if he stood by and let her get beaten up and picked on, right after making what he thought was a pretty okay first try at talking to her. Besides, he'd never been able to stand by and be a spectator to anything like this; he just wasnt wired up that way. He couldn't stand it. And that, along with a million other little reasons he probably might remember later but couldnt care less about right now, was why he chose to knee the other blond boy in the gut.

 

"Shut the hell up," he said, still as calm as ever, like nothing had happened.

 

Axel just walked closer, grinning widely for a moment, before leaning down, stretching up so that, while not on his tiptoes, he towered even more over the younger boy. He scratched absent mindedly at his ear, brushing flame red strands of hair further back where they flared up around the sides of his face.

"Not so brave now, are ya?"

[zexion/ienzo 52]

Namine watched as Demyx gave a solid knee to Seipher's gut, causing the blond teen to double over in pain while groaning. She was sure that had to have hurt, anything to the gut was unpleasant. That much she knew. As Marluxia's acquaintance fell to his knees, she took this opportunity to struggle feriously against Marluxia's hold, wincing as the process made her hair tugged even harsher. A pathetic whimper escaped her lips, making her shut her eyes tightly. She was glad Demyx was here and willing to help her, but she doubted Marly would be that easy to take down. She could feel the muscles in his hands flexing angrily already. Namine shook her head, looking desperately at Demyx. She didn't want him to get hurt. Not after they starte of getting along...

 

"Dem' d-don't! You'll be hurt!"

 

Roxas swallowed roughly, shutting his locker after retrieving his homework, glaring defiantly up at the red head in disinterest.

 

"I don't need to be to handle you." Roxas chided, making a move to get away from Axel. He knew better than to linger. With 10 minutes left until the bell rung, Axel could pull any stunt on him. Any stunt. The blond didn't like the thought off that. It unnerved him to think the delinquent could and most likely would take an oppurtunity to hurt him.

[Rosie 3]

Flicking pink hair out of his eyes and turning around, completely infuriated after seeing Seifer taken down so pathetically- by someone like Demyx, no less- Marluxia allowed his grip on Namine to tighten, hurting more than before, but only temporarily- just long enough for him to lean in and hiss in her ear, so low it was nearly a snarl;

"I'm not done with you yet."

 

And then, he let go, shoving her slightly as he stepped back slowly, not turning around, not yet. Thinking he saw an opening, Dem ran at him- but, of course, he should have expected Marluxia would be faster, stronger build not even seeming to slow him down. An arm caught around his waist, striking hard, and he winced as Marluxia pretty much threw him to the ground, sneering when the blond's head whacked against the tile.

 

Swearing softly under his breath, Demyx started to pick himself up, and tried to throw Namine an approximation of his normal careless grin- it looked a little off-kilter, given how clearly pissed off he was- well, what had his mom called it? Scary calm, that's what she'd said it was.

"S'alright, Nami. I can deal with a couple douchebags. I mean, c'mon, this guy looks like he had a fight with a candyfloss machine- and lost."

 

"Ohhh, really?" Axel said, mocking cheeriness- then he just grabbed at Roxas, pulling the younger boy up against him, dropping the smile. Even during the lighthearted side of his act, his eyes had been full of untamed hostility- and now he let that spread back over the rest of his face.

"Then why d'you think a punk like you has the right to try and firetruck with me, huh?"

 

The Senior's hold on Roxas wasn't particularly tight- well, by his standards, at least- but it was enough so that he wouldn't just be pushed away.

[zexion/ienzo 52]

Giving a yelp of pain, Namine was thankful to be released by the pink haired male, but certainly unappreciative of Demyx getting thrown to the floor, a sickening crack resounding through the halls. Namine quickly crawled next to him, panic filling her eyes. She didn't want him to be hurt or seriously injure or anything or...or...

 

"Demyx are you okay?!" She asked quickly, looking over the blond quickly. She didn't care that Marluxia had so viscously threatened her. Even if it would come back to her, she wanted Demyx to be safe. She didn't want him to get involved. "I told you not to." She mumbled, lifting his head carefully to check the back of it, not caring about his smile. It was in no way reassuring to her.

 

Roxas let that small gasp of freight escape his lips as that devious smirk was replaced with an unkind glimmer in his thick, poison green eyes and a deep frown. It hit Roxas a little bit harder now that he realized what he had done. God damn pissed off Axel of all people! Who cares about the impression he had made to his friend's as a hero, he was going to get injured now! At least, that's what the small, concerned voice in the very back of his head was yelling. But his stubborness certainly decided to stay strong. But he seriously didn't want to say what he did.

 

"Because I hate Seniors like you act like they're all that, pushing people around. I hate cowards--" Roxas froze. He didn't just say that. He didn't. Just. Say. That. Was he insane? Calling Axel a--oh he just didn't know when to shut up!

[Rosie 3]

Demyx groaned, going to wave her away, insisting under his breath that he was fine- stupidly, though, when he brushed past her to try and stand up, he nearly lost his balance, head swimming, and with a slightly annoyed hiss sat back down, glaring at the floor like it was its fault he needed a moment to recover. Which, technically, it might have been, but that was besides the point. At least Marluxia, who could have layed into him the moment he'd fallen, had actually chosen to try and help Seifer for the time being, even if that still left him close- close enough to lash out again if he wanted to.

 

"I'm fine, really- freak's strong, that's all, got me by surprise," the blond muttered, glancing at Namine and frowning. "Do they gang up on you like this a lot?"

 

If Axel had been angry before, it was nothing compared to how he was now. With a barely-held snarl, he twisted at his grip on the blond, starting to stalk along the corridor, dragging him along at such a pace he was nearly falling over himself. He didn't speak- couldn't try to, he was just that far pissed- and only paused, very abruptly, to slam his palm against his own locker as they passed, hard enough for it to spring open. In one motion, still keeping a hold of Roxas's upper arm with one hand, digging his nails in enough to know the boy wouldn't struggle free, he tugged a trashed, pretty dirty plastic bag out of the locker and slammed it shut, before resuming his rushing down the hallway, tugging the blond out, towards the stairs.